WALLACE – After more than a decade, the Wallace Flower Project Committee has its work down to a near science. What they need now is manpower.

“Volunteers are needed to plant more than 2,000 flowers in 200-plus baskets and hayracks that will grace the Second Street corridor, Sixth Street Park and light posts throughout the residential and business areas of Wallace,” committee member Janet Feiler told the Shoshone News-Press.

Once the planting is completed, the baskets will be moved into the greenhouse to give them a chance to acclimate before distribution throughout the city.

The project committee has been the driving force for the summer beautification at the Center of the Universe for the past 13 years, with substantial help from the community, including cooperative agreements.

“This would not be possible without the support of the city of Wallace, the Frank A. Morbeck Foundation, the Callahan Zeller Foundation and donations from individuals and businesses,” Feiler said. “An arrangement between Hecla and the city provides summer employment for one to three youths whose tasks include daily watering of the flowers.”

Purchasing, planting and maintaining these flowers comes with an annual price tag of $10,000, which covers the cost of the flowers, baskets and liners, soil, fertilizer, greenhouse improvements and other expenses.

Once the flowers are planted, city employees and members of the Wallace Jr./Sr. High School football team will place them throughout the town, including along the wall outside the Wallace City Pool.

Volunteers will plant petunias, calibrachoa (often called million bells), sweet potato vines and fountain grass for this year’s colorful baskets.

The planting party is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. at Weeping Birch Park on the corner of Second and Cypress streets. No prior planting experience is necessary.

"It's time to get down and dirty for the beauty of Wallace," Feiler said.

The Wallace Flower Project is a nonprofit operating under the 501(c)(3) of the Greater Wallace Community Development Corp.

Donations can be made to the project online at www.growwallace.org, or mailed to Siobhan Curet, committee treasurer, at 823 Residence St., Wallace, ID 83873.